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About 500 plush dogs and cats are spread out with help from Lackawanna County Sheriff’s Department Cpl. Corey Cavalieri on Thursday at the Aaron Center in Dickson City, with more stuffed animals to be donated in the next few weeks.
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On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, Joseph P. McDonald manned the switchboard at Fort Shafter in Hawaii when he received the alarming message that radar had detected a large number of planes approaching from the north, heading fast for Oahu.
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Motorists who use the Pango mobile app to pay at parking meters in Scranton will get reimbursed for any inadvertent overcharges since Sept. 1, the new operator of the city’s parking system said.
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TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE
The recent addition of carvings along the Scranton/Taylor portion of the Lackawanna Heritage Trail is praised by a letter writer.

Big tax hike to chase residents

Editor: It's interesting how the answer to all of Scranton's problems is always the same - raise taxes.

It figures that Mayor Chris Doherty would get the taxpayers one last time on his way out the door.

For good measure, he raised the garbage collection fee, too. The man never did us any favors.

People work hard for their money and they need it to live, not to keep giving it to the city that has mismanaged it for years.

Most of Scranton's people are poor. They don't have the money to pay these high taxes. All the factories are gone. There are no good-paying jobs or any plans to bring work to Scranton.

What are we getting for paying these high taxes? The roads need fixing and there are crime and blight problems. Scranton should have a youth center for kids, where they can have activities and play sports. They need somewhere to go to learn life lessons and not just run wild in the streets. They need direction so they grow up to be good people.

People will leave, not because they want to. They'll be driven away by these high taxes, further eroding the tax base and putting a heavier burden on those who stay.

The recession has made life harder for all of us.

I hope Mayor-elect Bill Courtright and city council work together to save Scranton. His motto, "back on track," is appropriate. Scranton has been off track for years. It's time for change. I hope this mayor cares more about the people than he outgoing one.

BILL LOVELAND

SCRANTON

Aging workers drive up claims

Editor: Regarding Terrie Morgan-Besecker's Dec. 1 article, "Harder to get help": According to the Social Security Administration, there are approximately 8.9 million disabled American workers receiving SSDI benefits.

There are two common explanations for the dramatic rise in disability numbers.

One theory, as mentioned by Ms. Morgan-Besecker, is that the downturn in the economy has played a large part. This argument is quite cynical and presents a rather unflattering view of disabled American workers and their health care providers. The theory assumes that workers who are unable to find jobs simply choose to go on disability. This is demeaning to those applying for disability, as most of these claimants have worked hard and have simply reached the point where their injuries or conditions make it impossible to continue.

A more logical explanation for the increasing claims is simple demographics. As the baby boomer generation ages, they become prone to injury, especially those working in positions that require manual labor. Older people tend to get injured more easily and, as a result, many become disabled and file disability claims.

Despite that the number of claims has risen, the Social Security Administration has also been denying a record number. The increase in rejected claims is a crushing blow to those applicants who are truly in need of this assistance for their survival.

What remains to be seen is whether the number of claims drops with the uptick of the economy, or whether this is a demographic issue that will resolve with time. Whatever the cause, it is critical that workers with legitimate claims properly document their injuries and make certain that their health care providers do the same. This will ensure they start the process with all of the evidence they need to get full and deserving justice.

JULIA MUNLEY

PARTNER, MUNLEY LAW,

SCRANTON

Classy warrior

Editor: For those who question the meaning of heroism, look no further than the story of Michael McLane, who was a Marine in Vietnam was featured in The Times-Tribune People Section on Dec. 1.

You will find no commentary by him on the politics of the war, no stories of correspondence with Jane Fonda, no guilt, shame or sorrow for his duty as a warrior for America.

You will find in his story the meaning of sacrifice, bravery, dedication, and selflessness. He is America's best. Honor him. Semper Fi, Mike.

EUGENE M. OGOZALEK

3RD BATTALION/4TH MARINES,

VIETNAM 1967-68,

SCRANTON

Solve cruel slaying

Editor: It was 33 years ago this month that the man who pleaded in a song to "Give peace a chance" had no chance to survive after being shot in the back by an aimless loser lurking in the shadows.

Just as cowardly and inexplicable as the murder of John Lennon was the recent killing of a woman in Nanticoke. She nearly lived an entire century, only to fall less than three years short after the person or people who broke into her home on Thanksgiving night decided she had lived long enough.

The reward for those responsible has climbed to over $3,000. I don't know about you, but every time that total goes higher, leading to the capture of the cretinous culprits, I'll cheer as if my team just won the Super Bowl.

John Lennon's killer will never again have the freedom enjoyed by a civilized human being. Nor should the insidious intruders who refused to give a peaceful woman named Gertrude Price any chance at all.

VINCE MORABITO

SCRANTON

Covering home

Editor: Now that Carbondale will be paid $75,000 for a year to provide police protection for Fell Twp. residents, I wonder who will pick up police protection for Carbondale?

In a city where the department is already understaffed or staffed primarily by part-time officers, drivers normally travel at more than twice the speed limit, drive recklessly and ignore traffic signals or turning directions. Only cooler weather has reduced the proliferation of illegal ATV and dirt-bike traffic.

Cashing in to provide police protection for ("right next door") Fell Twp. is a money grab that again leaves safety in Carbondale on the outside looking in.

JOE MIEGOC

CARBONDALE

Super sights

Editor: Thank you to Tom J. Austin for donating his time and talent to enhance the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail.

My sister was very impressed about the Scranton/Taylor section of the trail. This prompted me to visit and I was not disappointed. I enjoyed Mr. Austin's Indian carvings as well as the various stone carvings. The potted plants, sitting and stage areas enhance the experience.

Mr. Austin's artwork has created a unique setting reflecting the native American heritage of our area. I also applaud PennDOT and contributing agencies for undertaking this valuable project.

DEBBIE ALUNNI

JESSUP

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